U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) this week requested critical federal resources to help support Ohio’s small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the spread of the coronavirus.
Sen. Portman and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote a bipartisan March 18 letter sent to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Jovita Carranza requesting the immediate approval of Ohio’s application to qualify for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
“While Ohio’s small businesses and nonprofits are resilient, it is critical we act quickly to ensure they have the necessary economic support to overcome the significant challenges created by this public health crisis,” the lawmakers wrote.
Sen. Portman and his colleague noted that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently sent Carranza a letter and application for the state to qualify for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which would provide essential support to small businesses and nonprofits across Ohio that currently can’t access funding.
“We urge you to immediately approve this application and determine eligibility for small businesses and nonprofits so that they can access the funding they need to survive the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting economic fallout,” the senators wrote.